A new Higher Apprenticeship in Construction Operations Management is being launched today (20 July) with the support of a wide range of employers, including Skanska, Persimmon Homes, Byrne Group and Transport for London.
The new work-based qualification allows students to work towards a foundation degree accredited by Middlesex University, with a minimum of time spent off-site. It is designed to be flexible enough to meet the needs of a mobile workforce, and also to reflect modern construction methods and technologies.
It has been developed with CITB-ConstructionSkills to help meet the future need for managers in the construction industry, and aims to register 1,300 students by the end of 2013.
Four FE colleges – Worcester College of Technology, the College of North West London, New College Nottingham and City of Westminster College – are acting as delivery partners for the qualification, and will each work with a range of employers. Other firms aligned to the four delivery partners include Arup, Thomas Vale, Kingspan and Laing O’Rourke.
Places are currently available for 320 students, who can start the flexible course at any time from September.
While students might study on day-release, the colleges are being encouraged to develop new teaching methods, such as bringing all their students together for week-long intensive workshops on one of the employers’ sites.
Dr Darryll Bravenboer of Middlesex University’s Institute for Work Based Learning said: “We’re trying to engage different kinds of organisations and SMEs, as well as the major players. And by having a nationally consistent qualification, we’re responding to the views of UKCG members, who told ConstructionSkills they found it difficult to select which of the 66 foundation degrees in construction management were appropriate for their needs.”
Students can start the flexible Higher Apprenticeship any time after September
Nick Gooderson, head of education and research at CITB-ConstructionSkills, added: “We think this will appeal to smaller contractors, who might be less organised on training than the bigger firms. They might be investing in new recruits, or in their existing workforces.”
Contractors will be able to claim CITB grant funding of up to £5,650 over three years for their students, the students themselves can take out student loans, and there are additional funds for any employers who have not previously taken on apprentices. College fees over the three-year course are likely to be in the region of £10,000-£12,000.
Meanwhile, Leeds College of Building is to launch an alternative route to the Higher Apprenticeship, with a sustainability focus and based on Higher National Diplomas.
